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The Civic United Front (CUF) presidential candidate, Seif Sharif Hamad, yesterday alleged vote rigging in some polling stations and threatened to reject the results.
Hamad, who said he was confident of winning by 72 maintained that his party will not accept the results if the electoral body (ZEC) and state security organs acted to rig the polls in favour of the ruling CCM.
Speaking to newsmen after casting his vote at Mtopepo constituency in Unguja, Hamad said if irregularities continued the future of Government of National Unity (GNU) in the Zanzibar would be in danger.
The candidate, who is also the First-Vice President under the Government of National Unity claimed that his party agents seized fake votes at Jang’ombe polling station and informed law enforcement agencies about the anomaly.
He claimed that the fake votes were meant to assist the ruling CCM to illegally cling in power.
“We have all the information on what is going on, especially on the use of fake votes. The government should be very careful on this as it will bring about unnecessary chaos in the country,” he said.When asked to comment about the GNU future, he said, his party will not sign any pact this time to form a unity government if the elections will not be free and fair.
Hamad’s comments drew quick reactions from his main rival, the CCM presidential candidate and incumbent president, Dr Ali Mohamed Shein who cast his vote at Bungi Primary School in Tunguu constituency.
Dr Shein said he was puzzled by Hamad’s rigging allegations and threat of not accepting the results.
“It is the Constitution which will decide the fate of Government of National Unity if at all the opposition rejects the results of the elections,” he said.
Dr Shein likened elections with a football match where each team expresses confidence to win but noted that it was too early to either accept or refuse the results.
Such pronouncements can only hold water if made at the end of the exercise and the final results announced.
Hamad stressed: ‘Let them remain with their GNU as we will not be part of the government.’
However, Hamad was delighted by the people’s turn out, urging them to carefully make the right choice.
He assured them of winning this year’s elections given the big support the party has been given by the voters who are ‘thirsty’ of change.
Hamad also urged those who did go to the polling stations to vote to make sure that they vote.
According to Dr Shein, he was sure to win this year’s race because of his tireless efforts of maintaining peace and harmony in the Isles, leading the formation of a GNU and initiating implementable policies.
The two Union presidential running mates for CCM, Samia Suluhu Hassan Suluhu and Chama Cha Demokrasia na Maendeleo (Chadema Juma Haji) Duni also took part in voting and each of them expressed confidence in winning the elections.
They all said they were ready to accept the results but acknowledged that this year’s election was closely contested because each the two parties were well organised.
Zanzibar African Democratic Alliance (Tadea) presidential aspirant, Juma Ali Khatib promised to accept the results in any form they may come out because in a democracy there must be a winner and a loser.
Detailing, Zanzibar Electoral Commission (ZEC) Director Salum Kassim Ali said that about 503,860 people were expected to vote.
He said there were 1,583 voting centres in Unguja and Pemba islands.
According to ZEC director, the results of the representatives and councillors will be announced at the constituency after the voting.
Ali further pointed out that the presidential results will also be announced after the counting is over.
SOURCE: THE GUARDIAN
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